This fruit is one of summer’s cool and refreshing treats, but watermelon seeds can be a nuisance.
However, instead of throwing them away or spitting them out, you can use them to make a healthy snack. Roasted watermelon seeds taste similar to popcorn or nuts and have a caramel flavor.
The preparation is simple and you will surely incorporate the toasted watermelon seeds in your next snacks as if they were peanuts or sunflower seeds.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw watermelon seeds
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 cup of water
Preparation
- After consuming a rich watermelon, separate its seeds and clean and rinse well to remove any remaining fruit. Discard white or small seeds.
- Once cleaned, spread them out on a baking sheet and let them air dry in direct sunlight for a week. This step greatly improves the final taste.
- In a skillet on the stove, place the watermelon seeds over medium-high heat and turn until toasted. Attention that because they are dark they can burn.
- Add salt to the glass of water and stir until dissolved. Pour the salted water into the pan and cook, stirring occasionally for a few minutes, until the water has evaporated.
- Let the seeds cool completely before consuming them.
Tips for preparing roasted watermelon seeds
Watermelon seeds can also be toasted in the oven at 180°C for 15 to 20 minutes. They will first need to be washed and dried as above before cooking and then spray the seeds with cooking spray and sprinkle evenly with salt once they come out of the oven. Allow to cool completely before cooking. You can also soak them in salted water, let them dry completely, and then bake them in the oven.
Roasted watermelon seeds properties
Watermelon seeds are naturally low in calories and very healthy. They are packed with nutrients like iron, magnesium and copper and are rich in protein, amino acids and B vitamins.
It is ideal to eat them with fruits such as citrus fruits and berries or vegetables such as red peppers, which are high in vitamin C, as this vitamin helps with the absorption of iron.
They are also rich in zinc, which helps strengthen the immune system and provide antioxidants that delay the signs of aging, due to the action of free radicals in cells.
As well as enjoying them right away, they are also delicious in salads for their crunch, making them the perfect ingredient for a homemade trail mix.
recipe variations
- After toasting the watermelon seeds, sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar for a little sweetness.
- You can also squeeze in some lemon and add some chili powder for a little southwestern flavor.
- Another option is to sprinkle them with some cayenne pepper while they are still hot.